V. 


Address. 


R 


Univ-  of  m.  Lib.  Cal,  Sir 


Slip 


THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


THE  INTERNATIONAL 
HYTOGEOGRAPHIC  EXCURSION  (I.P.E.) 
IN  AMERICA,  1913. 


BY 

A.  G.  TANSLEY,  M.A., 

University  Lecturer  in  Botany,  Cambridge, 


■PRICE  TWO  SHU.MH68.  BY-POST  B/g- 


THE  NEW  PHYTOLOGIST, 
BOTANY  SCHOOL,  CAMBRIDGE: 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS 


V- 


,fy  / 

CV  A' 

V' 


WESTERN  WYOMING, 


NOTICES  OF  RARE  PLANTS 


DESCRIPTIONS  OF  NEW  SPECIES 


COLLECTED  ON  THE  ROUTE  OF  THE  NORTH  WESTERN  WYOMING  EXPEDITION 


UNDER 

CAPTAIN  W.  A.  JONES, 

U.  S.  Engineer  Corps , Department  of  the  Platte. 


BY 

DR.  C.  C.  PARRY, 


SALEM : 

PRINTED  AT  THE  SALEM  PRESS. 

1874. 


Reprinted  from  the  American  Naturalist,  Vol.  Viii,  1874. 


58A  .<ns%G 

^>VA.V 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


Having  been  connected  with  the  exploring  expedition  of  Captain 
W.  A.  Jones  into  Northwestern  Wyoming  during  the  past  season 
(1873),  the  botanical  results  have  proved  of  such  unexpected  in- 
terest that  I have  obtained  the  permission  of  Captain  Jones  to 
__  anticipate  the  more  detailed  official  report  by  preparing  for  imme- 
diate  publication  a brief  sketch  of  the  general  botanical  features 
of  the  region  passed  over,  with  notices  of  rare  plants  and  descrip- 
tions of  new  species  collected  on  the  route. 

Fort  Bridger  to  Camp  Brown.  Leaving  the  point  of  rendez- 
vous  at  Fort  Bridger  on  the  12th  of  June,  our  route  followed  a 

w 

^ northeasterly  course  over  Green  River  basin,  thence  skirting  along 
the  southern  spurs  of  the  Wind  River  range.  The  main  conti- 
^ nental  divide  was  crossed  at  South  Pass.  From  this  point  fol- 
T lowing  a more  direct  northerly  course  we  reached  Camp  Brown 

the  Wind  River  valley  on  Jul}r  1st. 

The  chief  botanical  interest  on  this  portion  of  our  route  was 
xH  comprised  in  the  many  suggestive  associations  with  the  early  dis- 
coveries of  Nuttall  nearly  forty  years  previous.  Though  this 
HT  route  has  been  repeatedly  traversed  by  exploring  parties,  lying 
in  fact  on  the  well  beaten  track  of  western  emigrant  travel  pre- 
4 vious  to  the  construction  of  the  Pacific  Railroad,  not  a few  of  the 
plants  then  collected  and  described  have  remained  up  to  this 
£ time  desiderata  in  herbaria. 

Unusually  copious  spring  rains  previous  to  our  journey  had 
freshened  the  vegetation  of  these  usually  arid  tracts,  so  that  our 
necessarily  slow  and  tedious  marches,  encumbered  by  a heavily 
laden  wagon  train,  were  enlivened  (at  least  to  the  botanist)  by 
unwonted  verdure.  Even  the  repulsive  “ sage  plains”  and  u grease 
wood”  flats,  so  monotonous  and  forbidding  to  the  ordinary  trav- 
eller, yielded  up  unexpected  treasures  of  rare  plants.  Among 
these  the  evanescent  annuals  were  in  great  profusion,  including 
Gleome  aurea  Hook.,  Calyptridium  roseum  S.  Watson,  CEnothera 
Andina  Nutt.,  CEnotliera  scapoidea  Nutt.,  Astragalus  Geyeri  Gray, 
Astragalus  pictus  Gray,  Cliomactis  Douglasii  H.  & A.,  Plantago 


[INTiiiTiber  1. 


(9-10) 


4 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


Patagonicq  Jacq.,  Gilia  inconspicua  Dougl.,  and  Oxytheca  dendro- 
idea  Nutt.  In  the  moist  grassy  valley  of  Little  Sandy  were  also 
found  quite  abundantly  Capsella  divaricata  Walp.  and  Gentiana 
humilis  Stev.,  heretofore  overlooked  by  collectors  in  this  region. 

Of  perennial  plants,  serving  somewhat  to  relieve  the  prevalent 
and  monotonous  growth  of  Artemisia , Tetradymia  and  Linosyris , 
comprising  what  is  popularly  known  as  “wild  sage,”  and  the 
equally  forbidding  Chenopodiaceous  shrubs  confounded  under  the 
common  term  of  “ grease-wood,”  may  be  noted  several  species  of 
Astragalus  including  A . Purshii  Dougl.,  A.  lotiflorus  Hook,  A. 
glareosus  Dougl.,  A.  junceus  Nutt.,  and  now  collected  for  the  first 
time  since  Nuttall’ s original  discovery,  A . pubentissimus  Nutt, 
and  A.flavus  Nutt.,  the  former  a not  uncommon  roadside  plant, 
and  the  latter  quite  abundant  along  the  margins  of  dry  water- 
courses, at  the  foot  of  steep  clay  buttes. 

On  gravelly  knolls  adjoining  Green  River  still  another  inter- 
esting Nuttallian  plant  was  rediscovered,  Tanacetum  Nuttallii 
Torr.  & Gray,  and  growing  in  close  proximity  with  this  was 
found  Vesicaria  Alpina  Nutt.,  both  probably  near  the  original 
station  of  Nuttall. 

Nearly  everywhere  over  this  district  in  exposed  situations  we 
meet  with  Eriogonum  ovalifoHum  Nutt.,  forming  dense  silvery 
cushions,  its  close  globular  heads  of  flowers  exhibiting  a great 
variety  of  tints  from  pure  white  to  dark  brown.  Almost  equally 
abundant  on  gravelly  slopes  also  occur  Aplopappus  acaulis  Gray, 
and  Astragalus  simpUcifolius  Gray,  presenting  a neat  contrast 
of  colors  in  their  bright  yellow  and  blue  flowers,  resting  in  mats  of 
dark  green  and  silvery  foliage. 

Quite  constantly  associated  in  growth  with  Astragalus  flames 
Nutt,  is  a showy  asteroid  plant  with  large  white  flowers,  disposed 
in  flattened  summits  surmounting  the  dull  colored  tomentose  leaves. 
This  plant,  according  to  Dr.  Gray,  is  closely  allied  to  or  perhaps 
identical  with  the  Xylorhiza  villosa  Nutt.  ( Aster  Xylorhiza  Torr. 
& Gray).  In  view  of  the  discrepancy  in  many  respects  between 
this  plant  and  that  described  by  Nuttall,  Dr.  Gray  has  thought 
proper  to  characterize  it  as  a new  species,  Aster  Parry i . 

Among  other  plants  worthy  of  note  in  this  district  may  be 
enumerated  Delphinium  Menziesii  DC.,  Sisymbrium  junceum 
Bieb.,  Viola  Nuttallii  Pursh,  Cymopterus  montanus  Nutt.,  Gym - 

opterus  Fendleri  Gray,  Antennaria  dimorpha  Nutt.,  Artemisia 
(10-11) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


5 


pedatifida  Nutt.,  Phlox  longifolia  Nutt.,  Phlox  canescens  Torr.  & 
Gray,  Castilleia  parviflora  Bong.,  Pentstemon  humilis  Nutt.,  and 
Gilia  pungens  Benth. 

On  reaching  the  higher  ground  forming  the  eastern  rim  of  the 
Green  River  basin,  which  leads  by  an  easy  pass,  at  an  average  ele- 
vation of  seven  thousand  feet  above  the  sea  level,  from  the  Pacific 
to  the  Atlantic  slope,  the  prevalent  desert  growth  gives  place  to 
a vegetation  partaking  of  a sub-alpine  character.  This  district 
comprises  the  botanical  localities  designated  by  Nuttall  as  “ dry 
and  lofty  hills  in  the  central  range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.” 

Here  accordingly  we  again  come  within  the  range  of  these  early 
discoveries  in  re-collecting  such  choice  plants  as  Draba  Alpina  L., 
var.  den  A folia,  Lepidium  montanum  Nutt.,  Trifolium  Andinum 
Nutt.,  Trifolium  gymnocarpon  Nutt.,  Astragalus  campestris  Gray, 
Oxytropis  lagopus  Nutt.,  and  Phlox  bryoides  Nutt. 

Here  also  we  meet  for  the  first  time,  probably  near  its  south- 
eastern limits,  the  interesting  Lewisia  rediviva  Pursh.  This 
becomes  much  more  abundant  farther  north  in  the  Wind  River 
valle}',  and  we  were  thus  afforded  an  opportunity  to  observe  this 
plant  through  its  flowering  and  fruiting  stages,  extending  from 
the  latter  part  of  June  to  the  middle  of  July.  After  this  latter 
period  its  matured  capsules  are  detached  and  blown  away,  leaving 
no  trace  of  the  plant  exposed  to  view,  till  the  following  spring 
develops  the  rosette  of  radical  leaves,  by  which  the  Indians  are 
guided  in  procuring  their  supplies  of  this  palatable  and  nutritious 
root.  Recent  attempts  have  been  made  to  introduce  this  showy 
plant  into  our  gardens,  where  it  would  prove  quite  an  acquisition. 

Shrubbery  is  here  represented  mainly  by  Rosacece , including 
Amelancliier  Canadensis  Torr.  & Gray,  Potentilla  fruticosa  L., 
Parshii  tridentata  1)0.,  Ribes  cereum  Dougl.,  but  we  look  in  vain, 
in  apparently  favorable  localities,  for  the  forms  so  well  known  in 
the  mountain  range  farther  south  in  Colorado  of  Ribes  deliciosus 
Torr.,  Oercocarpus  parvifolius  Nutt.,  or  Jamesia  Americana  Torr. 
& Gray. 

The  scanty  pine  growth  includes  chiefly  Pinus  flexilis  James, 
with  an  occasional  clump  of  Abies  Douglasii  Lindl.,  and  Juniperus 
Virginiana  L. 

The  southeastern  spurs  of  the  Wind  River  range  present  a suc- 
cession of  steep,  grassy  slopes  agreeably  interspersed  with  pine- 
clad  ridges.  Through  numberless  channels  the  mountain  streams 

(11-12 


6 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


collect  their  summer  tribute  of  melted  snow,  and  cleave  their  way 
to  the  lower  valleys  through  deep  gorges,  disclosing  in  steep  mural 
faces  the  structure  and  succession  of  the  underlying,  highly  in- 
clined, rocky  strata.  The  lower  undulating  slopes,  forming  the 
natural  divides  between  the  numerous  watercourses  tributary  to 
the  main  valley  of  Wind  River,  form  irregular  ridges  often  pre- 
senting smooth  tabled  summits,  bedded  with  rich  grasses  inter- 
spersed with  gaily  colored  flowers.  Conspicuous  among  the  latter 
are  the  bright  golden-yellow  heads  of  Balsamorhiza  Hooker i 
Nutt.,  and  Balsamorhiza  sagittal  a Nutt.,  growing  promiscuously, 
the  close  similarity  of  their  flowers  being  curiously  contrasted 
with  their  diverse  foliage  ; even  in  the  latter  case,  however,  a ten- 
dency to  assimilate  (perhaps  due  to  hybridization)  is  occasionally 
observed,  in  which  the  sharply  hastate  leaves  of  the  latter  species 
are  irregularly  gashed  to  resemble  forms  of  the  other.  Besides 
these  everywhere  obtrusive  forms,  we  may  also  note  as  character- 
istic of  this  district  Geranium  Fremontii  Torr.,  Arenaria  cougesta 
Nutt.,  Arenaria  Hookeri  Nutt.,  Astragalus  campestris  Gray,  Oxy- 
tropis  campestris  L.,  Lupinus  sericeus  Pursh,  Hedysarum  Mack - 
enzii  Rich.,  Eriogonum  flavum  Nutt.,  and  Calochortus  Gunnisoni 
Watson.  On  all  the  high  rocky  ridges  of  this  section  a charming 
variety  of  Phlox  Douglasii  Hook,  is  met  with,  forming  close,  flat- 
tened cushions,  and  a profusion  of  pure  porcelain-white  fragrant 
flowrers. 

Along  the  borders  of  streams,  with  the  prevalent  willow  growth, 
we  And  Betula  occidentals  Hook.,  Alnus  incana  Willd.,  and  in  the 
larger  valleys  Elceagnus  argenteus  Nutt. 

On  the  steeper  mountain  slopes,  before  alluded  to  as  presenting 
an  agreeable  alternation  of  meadow'  and  woodland,  the  smooth 
grassy  expanses  of  the  higher  elevations,  reaching  an  altitude  of 
nine  thousand  feet  above  the  sea  level,  reveal  a distinctly  subal- 
pine  vegetation.  We  accordingly  here  encounter  such  well  known 
forms  as  Saxifraga  nivalis  L.,  Eritrichium  aretioides  DC.,  Pole- 
monium  confertum  Gray,  Lloyd ia  serotina  Reich.,  while  appar- 
ently more  distinctly  characteristic  of  this  particular  range  we 
note  Townsendia  spathulata  Nutt.,  Townsendia  scapigercc  D.  C. 
Eaton  and  Bupleurum  ranunculoides  L. 

In  the  wooded  districts  Pinus  flexili.s  is  irregularly  mingled  with 
Pinus  ponderosa  and  Abies  Douglasii , wdiile  1'inus  contorta  forms 
the  almost  exclusive  growth  of  the  interior  ridges  and  alpine 
(12-13) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


valleys.  After  passing  the  first  series  of  steep  ridges,  which  gen- 
erally present  an  abrupt  escarpment  towards  the  main  axis  of  the 
range,  the  interior  valleys  are  spread  out  in  the  form  of  irregular 
basins,  bordered  by  deep  pine  woods.  Within  these  timbered 
recesses  we  occasionally  encounter  small  grassy  parks,  or  alpine 
bogs  occupied  by  a close,  clumpy  growth  of  willows.  Through 
these,  course  clear  mountain  streams  generally  hidden  from  view 
by  overhanging  vegetation.  During  the  season  of  melting  snow 
in  the  early  summer  months,  these  meadows  frequently  conceal 
treacherous  bogs  greatly  impeding  travel,  while  small  ponds  and 
occasional  permanent  lakes  are  not  infrequent.  In  this  variety  of 
surface  exposure,  limited  in  every  direction  by  irregular,  rocky 
ridges,  variously  set  off  with  extensive  snow  drifts,  wre  have  all 
the  conditions  of  a most  attractive  mountain  flora. 

We  accordingly  find  here  in  somewhat  confused  association  the 
following  plants  : — Draba  Alpina  L.,  Lupinus  coespitosus  Nutt., 
Hedysarum  boreale  Nutt.,  Astragalus  Alpinus  L.,  Oxytropis  cam- 
pestris  L.,  Oxytropis  viscida  Nutt.?  (or  a species  near  it),  Sedum 
stenopetalum  Ph.,  Sedum  rhodanthum  Gray,  Actinella  grandiflora 
T.  & G.,  Antennaria  dioica  L.,  Senecio  lugens  Rich.,  Kalmia 
glauca  L.,  Synthyris  plantaginea  Benth.,  Mertensia  paniculata 
Dough,  Gilia  nudicaulis  Gray,  Androsace  septentrionalis  L.,  Prim- 
ula Parry i Gray,  Oentiana  humilis  Stev.,  Phacelia  sericea  Gray. 

In  succeeding  articles  the  flora  of  the  Owl  Creek  range  and  of 
the  high  mountain  district  between  the  Big-Horn  and  Yellowstone 
basins  will  be  noticed. 


(13-14) 


^Nriiriber  S. 


Wind  River,  which  in  pursuing  a general  southeast  course 
drains  the  entire  eastern  slope  of  the  Wind  River  range,  also 
receives  from  the  east  and  north  the  drainage  of  an  extensive 
mountain  district,  to  which,  as  a whole,  no  distinctive  name  has  yet 
been  applied.  To  the  most  southeastern  extension  of  this  moun- 
tain system  the  name  of  Owl  Creek  range  has  been  locally  applied. 
At  the  lowest  point,  where  this  merges  into  the  open  and  elevated 
plains,  the  main  stream,  turning  sharply  to  the  north,  loses  the 
name  of  Wind  River  to  assume  that  of  the  Big  Horn,  tributary  to 
the  Lower  Yellowstone.  Thus  it  happens  that  the  same  stream, 
under  another  name,  in  doubling  on  its  upper  course  from  south- 
east to  north,  receives  lower  down  the  eastern  drainage  of  the  Owl 
Creek  range,  and  the  broken  mountain  district  to  the  northwest, 
through  the  little  known  Big  Horn  tributaries  of  Owl  Creek,  Gray 
Bull  and  Stinking  Water. 

Our  route,  instead  of  following  down  the  main  valley,  crossed 
Wind  River  some  distance  above  the  sharp  bend  above  referred 
to,  thence  crossing  a low  spur  of  the  Owl  Creek  range,  and  skirt- 
ing near  the  base  of  the  high  mountains  to  the  west,  passed  Owl 
Creek,  Gray  Bull  and  several  southern  tributaries  of  Stinking 
Water,  to  ascend  a main  branch  of  the  latter  stream  to  its  source 
(102) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


9 


in  the  high  divide  separating  its  waters  from  those  of  the  Yellow- 
stone basin.  On  this  route  the  chief  point  of  botanical  interest 
centred  in  the  comparatively  little  explored  district  of  Owl  Creek 
range,  the  valleys  of  Owl  Creek,  Gray  Bull  and  Stinking  Water, 
and  the  high  mountain  region  at  the  sources  of  the  last  named 
stream.  We  accordingly  note  briefly  in  their  order  of  passing  the 
features  of  botanical  interest  presented  on  our  route. 

The  valley  of  Wind  River,  as  its  name  suggestively  implies,  is 
especially  subject  to  the  sweep  of  fierce  northwest  winds,  which 
necessarily  leave  their  impress  upon  the  native  vegetation.  Thus 
everywhere  on  the  uplands  and  low  open  valleys  there  is  a close 
uniform  growth  of  stunted  grasses,  or  the  dull  moorish  aspect 
presented  by  the  constantly  recurring  Artemisia.  On  saline  flats 
the  view  is  hardly  improved  by  a ranker  and  more  verdant  growth 
of  the  spine-clad  Sarcobcitus ; everywhere  there  is  a monotonous 
recurrence  of  the  same  forms  of  vegetation,  comprising  such  only 
as  are  capable  of  withstanding  the  combined  unfavorable  influ- 
ences of  a parched  soil  during  the  season  of  summer  growth, 
followed  by  an  early  and  rigorous  winter.  Only  in  moist,  shel- 
tered bottom-lands  do  we  meet  with  anything  like  a rank  vegeta- 
tion, made  up  of  dense  willow  thickets,  occasional  copses  of 
Shepherdia  argenteci  Nutt.,  with  irregular  scattering  groves  of 
Populus  balsamea.  Especially  abundant  in  all  damp,  rich,  alluvial 
tracts  in  this  region  we  meet  with  the  “ wild  licorice”  ( Olycyrrhiza 
lepidota  Nutt.),  here  very  commonly  infested  with  a parasitic  fun- 
gus, Trichobasis  leguminosarum  Link. 

In  the  series  of  steep  bluffs  bounding  the  main  river  bottoms, 
the  deep  gullied  ravines  offer  a greater  variety  of  soil  and  expos- 
ure favorable  to  a diversified  and  peculiar  vegetation.  Here, 
accordingly,  among  other  rarities  we  meet  with  a well  marked  new 
species  of  Astragalus,  distinguished  by  its  loose  straggling  habit, 
growing  in  light  loamy  soil,  and  sending  up  a loose  spike  of  white 
flowers  which  rarely  mature  fruit.  Prof.  Gray  has  characterized 
this  species  (No.  65  of  the  distributed  collection)  as  A.  ventorum , 
n.  sp.  (see  appendix).  Here  also  along  the  slopes  of  high  gypseous 
ridges  we  meet  quite  abundantly  with  a new  composite,  Sclikuhria 
(Platyschkuhria)  integrifolia  Gray,  n.  sp.  (see  appendix,  No. 
150)  ; of  a habit  and  foliage  quite  unlike  any  other  species  of 
this  genus. 

On  reaching  the  broken  foot-hills  of  the  Owl  Creek  range,  both 

(103) 


10 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


the  scenery  and  vegetation  became  much  more  diversified ; and 
rounded  slopes  of  disintegrated  metam orphic  rocks,  sharp  crests 
of  upheaved  strata,  and  extensive  exposures  of  the  brick-red  Tri- 
assic  formation,  present  in  their  varied  exposures  all  the  condi- 
tions for  a varied  flora.  We  accordingly  here  meet  with  such 
choice  plants  as  Stanley  a viridijlora  Nutt.,  Oxytropis  campestris 
L.,  var.  ? (No.  88),  Aplopappus  multicaulis  Nutt.,  Tanacetum  capi- 
tatum  Nutt. 

Farther  up  on  the  mountain  slopes  the  increased  elevation  is 
evidenced  by  greater  freshness  of  vegetation,  the  dull  brown  of 
the  lowlands  giving  place  to  a rich  soft  verdure.  Constant  run- 
ning streams,  however,  are  still  rare,  as  the  altitude  is  not  suffi- 
cient to  afford  heavy  deposits  of  winter  snow  to  keep  up  a supply 
of  water  through  the  dry  summer  months.  As  we  again  encounter 
pine  woods  composed  mainly  of  Abies  Douglasii  and  Pinus  flexilis , 
the  associated  undergrowth  is  again  brought  to  view  in  thick, 
matted  growths  of  Arctostaphylos  uva-ursi , and  occasional  patches 
of  Berberis  Aquifolium . Still  there  is  a characteristic  absence  of 
many  forms  such  as  one  would  naturally  look  for  in  such  local- 
ities, neither  scrub  oak,  Rubus  nor  Symphoricarpus  being  here 
represented.  Very  common  and  attractive  over  all  this  district 
are  the  bright,  showy  flowers  of  a species  of  Lupinus  (No.  54) 
allied  to  L.  sericeus  Ph.?  but  difficult  to  refer  to  any  described 
species  ; here  also  Hedysarum  boreale  Nutt,  is  conspicuous,  with 
its  slender  spikes  of  nodding  pink  flowers,  occasionally  inclining 
to  a dull  pinkish-white.  On  the  crests  of  the  dividing  ridge  at- 
taining an  elevation  of  nine  thousand  feet  there  are  extensive 
exposures  of  an  arenaceous  limestone,  presenting  tabled  summits 
and  perpendicular  mural  faces,  with  irregular  broken  talus  at  their 
bases.  These  localities  offer  not  only  very  attractive  points  of 
view  of  the  adjoining  country,  but  afford  a rare  field  for  the  bota- 
nist. Here  in  rock  crevices  was  found  the  charming  dwarf  colum- 
bine, which,  in  compliment  to  the  enterprising  commander  of  the 
expedition,  and  its  first  actual  discoverer,  I have  named  Aquilegia 
Jonesii , n.  sp.  (see  appendix,  No.  3).  This  species,  which  is  most 
nearly  allied  to  A.  vulgaris  L.,  is  sufficiently  distinguished  by  its 
dwarf  size  and  close  ctespitose  habit,  as  well  as  other  well  marked 
characters  indicated  in  the  description  referred  to.  It  would  no 
doubt  prove  highly  ornamental  in  cultivation,  but  unfortunately  at 
the  period  of  our  collection  (in  July)  the  fruit  was  just  maturing, 
(104) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


11 


and  it  was  only  by  diligent  search  that  sufficient  late  flowering 
specimens  were  met  with  to  complete  the  description. 

Besides  this  choice  addition  to  our  native  florae  other  plants 
worth}7  of  note  may  be  enumerated,  viz  : Anemone  mnltiftda  DC., 
Arenaria  arctica  Stev.,  Arenaria  Rossii  It.  Br.,  Lupbms  minimus 
Dough,  Oxytropis  campestris  L.,  Spircea  ccespitosa  Nutt.,  Saxifraga 
Jamesii  Torr.,  Saxifraga  debilis  Engel.,  Phlox  Douglasii  Hook., 
Polemonium  confertum  Gray,  Androsace  ehamcejasme  L.,  Castilleia 
pallida  Kth.,  Lloydia  serotina  Reich. 

The  peculiarities  of  the  timber  growth  in  this  section  will  be 
more  fully  dwelt  on  in  a subsequent  article  ; it  is  sufficient  here  to 
note  the  regular  order  of  succession  everywhere  noticeable  as  dis- 
tinct zones  of  arborescent  growth.  Thus  the  lower  mountain 
slopes  are  occupied  by  scattered  groves  of  Pinus  ponderosa  and 
Abies  Douglasii , succeeded  higher  up  by  Pinus  flexilis  and  Pinus 
eontorta , while  the  highest  ridges  support  a dense  forest  of  Abies 
Engelmanni. 

In  descending  the  northeastern  slope  of  the  Owl  Creek  range, 
forming  the  western  edge  of  the  Big  Horn  basin,  we  come  upon 
principal  tributary  streams  draining  the  high  mountain  region  to 
the  west.  In  all  these  valleys,  including  Owl  Creek,  Gray  Bull 
and  Stinking  Water,  a uniform  character  of  vegetation  is  observ- 
able, constituting  a very  distinct  botanical  district.  On  the  steep 
gravelly  ridges  bounding  the  valley  of  Owl  Creek  was  first  noticed 
a very  remarkable  species  of  Stanley  a,  distinguished  from  all  other 
known  species  of  this  interesting  genus  by  the  dense  tomentose 
covering  of  its  stem  and  foliage,  and  the  sharply  hastate  form  of 
its  leaves.  I have  accordingly  named  it  Stanleya  tomentosa , n.  sp. 
(see  appendix,  No.  13).  This  plant,  then  (July  20),  in  the  full 
glory  of  its  dense  spike  of  cream-colored  flowers,  formed  a con- 
spicuous feature  in  the  floral  landscape.  In  this  same  locality  was 
also  found  a new  species  of  Phelipcea , which  on  account  of  its 
bright  yellow  color  I have  named  Phelipcea  lutea , n.  sp.  (see  ap- 
pendix, No.  202).  This  plant,  which  is  met  with  growing  in  close 
proximity  to  the  allied  species,  Phelipcea  faseiculata  Nutt.,  fur- 
nished an  opportunity  for  a direct  comparison  of  fresh  living  speci- 
mens, thus  affording  a more  satisfactory  means  of  distinguishing 
specific  difference  than  could  be  derived  from  the  dry  faded  plants. 
Along  the  borders  of  a dry  ravine  was  collected  a yellow  flowered 
Astragalus  with  nearly  mature  fruit.  This,  on  a cursory  view,  I 

(105) 


12 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


noted  as  a form  of  A.  flavus  Nutt.,  previously  collected  on  Green 
River.  Prof.  Gray,  to  whom  specimens  were  sent  under  the  above 
name,  recognized  its  distinct  character.  I have  therefore  ventured 
to  compliment  the  actual  discoverer,  as  well  as  the  chief  elucidator 
of  this  difficult  genus  of  western  North  American  plants,  by  nam- 
ing it  Astragalus  Grayi , n.  sp.  (see  appendix).  A side  trip  by 
a detached  topographical  party  to  the  rugged  peak  named  by  Capt. 
Jones  u Washakee’s  Needles  ” revealed,  in  a few  fragments  brought 
back  by  the  party,  a more  distinct  alpine  flora  than  any  yet  seen, 
including  TJouglasia  montana  Gray,  and  a most  singular  depressed 
Townsendia , wfltli  its  large  single  heads  immersed  in  a globular 
mass  of  lanulose  coated  leaves.  This,  as  far  as  the  imperfect 
material  affords  the  means  of  judging,  is  probably  an  undescribed 
species,  to  which  the  name  of  Townsendia  condensate i,  n.  sp.,  may 
be  provisionally  applied.  In  the  lower  mountain  ranges  there  is  a 
succession  of  charming  subalpine  meadows,  set  off  with  limpid 
lakes  and  traversed  by  clear  ice-cold  brooks,  which,  among  other 
well  known  plants,  furnished  the  following  additions  to  our  list, 
viz  : Astragalus  oroboides  Hornem.,  (Enothera  breviflora  Ton*,  and 
Gra}r,  Aplopappus  inuloides  Torr.  and  Gray,  Artemisia  incompta 
Nutt.,  and  the  singularly  neat  European  species  Myosotis  alpestris 
L.  In  the  valley  of  Stinking  Water  (a  most  inappropriate  name  for 
a clear  mountain  stream  abounding  in  the  finest  trout),  at  a single 
locality,  was  collected  the  rare  Chenopodiaceous  plant  character- 
ized by  Dr.  Torrey  as  Enclolepis  Suckleyi  Torr.  This,  in  the  un- 
published revision  of-  this  family  by  Mr.  S.  Watson,  is  to  be 
included  in  the  genus  Atriplex  ( A . Endolepis  Watson,  ined.).  The 
excellent  figure  of  this  plant  in  Vol.  xii,  pi.  3,  of  u Pacific  Railroad 
Reports,”  only  fails  to  represent  the  straggling  habit,  densely 
divaricate  branches  and  the  blistered,  mealy-dusted  leaves  of  this 
species.  It  seems  to  affect  a peculiar  soil,  so  strongly  impreg- 
nated with  saline  ingredients  as  to  be  entirely  bare  of  all  other 
vegetation. 

In  our  course  up  the  valley  of  Stinking  Water  there  was  little 
of  botanical  interest  to  attract  the  attention.  The  prevalent  rocks 
were  composed  of  a coarse  igneous  conglomerate,  which  weathered 
into  the  most  fantastic  shapes,  presenting  on  either  hand  sharp 
pinnacles,  toppling  columns  and  chimney  peaks  ; but  the  uniform- 
ity of  soil  derived  from  its  disintegration  was  unfavorable  to  a 
rich  development  of  floral  forms.  We  accordingly  note  briefly  the 
(106) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


13 


following  as  most  abundant  and  characteristic : Arenaria  pun- 
gens  Nutt.,  var.  Astragalus  microcystis  Gra}^,  Heuchera  cylindrica 
Doug].,  Bahia  leucophylla  DC.,  Steplianomeria  paniculata  Nutt. 

On  reaching  the  upper  portion  of  this  valley,  becoming  more 
densely  wooded,  and  frequently  spreading  out  into  open,  grassy 
parks,  a much  more  attractive  and  varied  flora  is  brought  to  view. 
The  pine  woods,  composed  almost  exclusively  of  Pinus  contorta , 
with  scattering  trees  of  Abies  grandis , and  in  the  drier  mountain 
slopes  of  Abies  Douglasii , overshadow  thick  moss-bedded  festoons 
of  Linncea  borealis , associated  with  Pyrola  minor  L.,  and  occa- 
sionally the  more  peculiar  western  form  of  Pyrola  dentcita  Hook. 
Here  too  occurs  abundantly  Antennaria  racemosa  Hook.,  with 
sterile  and  fertile  plants  growing  in  distinct  plots  ; scanty  speci- 
mens were  also  collected  of  what  is  probably  the  little  known  An- 
tennaria luzuloides  Torr.  and  Gray.  Everywhere  on  the  moist, 
wooded*  slopes  is  a thick  undergrowth  of  Vaccinium  myrtilloides 
Mx.  Rhamnus  is  represented  by  the  well  known  northern  form 
of  Rhamnus  alnifolius  L.  Her.,  and  on  the  margins  of  ice-cold 
springs  we  meet  with  Mimulus  moscliatus  Dougl.  In  ascending 
the  higher  mountain  peaks,  the  rocky  crags  are  brilliantly  adorned 
with  clumps  of  Pentstemon  deustus  Dougl.,  or  the  more  showy 
Pentstemon  Menziesii  Hook.  Along  the  borders  of  alpine  brooks, 
together  with  the  wide-spread  Mertensia  Sibirica  Dougl.,  we  meet 
with  the  showy  Mimulus  Lewisii  Ph.,  so  interesting  in  its  associa- 
tion with  the  early  explorer  Lewis.  Mitella  trijida  Gray  is  here 
found  associated  with  the  more  common  Mitella,  pentandra  Hook. 
In  similar  localities,  strangely  remote  from  their  original  habitat, 
we  meet  with  Zauschneria  Californica  Presl  and  Kellogia  galioides 
Torr.  ! Near  the  bald  alpine  summits,  where  the  ground  is  satu- 
rated from  the  recent  melting  of  snow-drifts,  grows  the  “Cali- 
fornia heath,”  Bryantlius  empetriformis  Gray,  and  here  also  at  the 
most  eastern  locality  yet  noted  was  found  a dwarf  form  of 
Spraguea  umbellata  Torr.  The  occurrence  of  so  many  peculiar 
Californian  forms  in  such  an  isolated  locality  on  the  Atlantic  slope 
is  very  suggestive. 

On  the  high  alpine  crest  at  the  head  of  Stinking  Water,  over- 
looking to  the  west  the  Yellowstone  basin  and  its  magnificent 
lake,  a more  alpine  flora  is  exhibited,  though  composed  mainly  of 
dwarfed  forms  of  plants  met  with  lower  down,  as  may  be  seen 
from  the  following  list,  noted  down  August  2,  viz  : Arabis  Drum- 

(107; 


14 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


mondii  Gray,  Arab  is  canescens  Nutt.,  Draba  alpina  L.,  SmelowsTda 
calycina  C.  A.  Mey.,  Arenaria  arctica  Stev.,  Ivesm  Gordoni  Torr. 
and  Gray,  Potentilla  dissecta  Pursh,  Astragalus  alpinus  L.,  Astrag- 
alus Kentrophyta  Gray,  Lupinus  minimus  Dougl.,  Sedum  stenope- 
talum  Ph.,  Townsendia  (not  determined  as  to  species.  No.  145), 
Erigerpn  compositum  Ph.,  Senecio  canus  Hook.,  Achillea  millefolium 
L.,  Phlox  Douglasii  Hook.,  Polemonium  humile  var.  (P.  parvifolium 
Nutt.),  Mertensia  alpina  Dougl.,  Myosotis  alpestris  L.,  Eriogonum 
ovalifolium  Nutt. 

In  a concluding  article,  the  general  botanical  features  of  Yel- 
lowstone Park  and  the  head  waters  of  Snake  and  Wind  Rivers  will 
be  considered. 


(108) 


3Srnm.T3er  3. 


The  very  full  botanical  list  contained  in  Hayden’s  Reports  for 
1871-72  includes  most  of  the  plants  met  with  in  the  Upper  Yel- 
lowstone basin,  being  comprised  within  the  limits  of  the  Yellow- 
stone National  Park.  But  as  no  attempt  is  made  in  the  above 
reports  to  present  the  subject  in  its  physiographical  aspects,  and 
the  list  as  a whole  embraces  plants  derived  from  other  distinct 
botanical  districts,  I propose  to  continue  the  itinerary  sketch  of 
the  botanical  features  presented  on  our  route,  noting  the  charac- 
teristic, peculiar,  or  undescribed  plants  as  they  are  cursorily 
brought  to  view. 

The  elevated,  irregular  and  bare  mountain  ridges  that  bound 
the  Upper  Yellowstone  basin  on  the  east  command  by  far  the 
finest  prospect  of  this  remarkable  district.  In  approaching  from 
any  other  direction,  the  distant  view  is  mainly  shut  off  by  the 
dense  pine  forests  that  almost  continuously  cover  the  adjoining 
country  ; but  from  the  Stinking  Water  divide,  reaching  above  the 
timber  line,  the  unobstructed  view  takes  in  the  whole  scope  of 
adjoining  woodland,  the  broad  expanse  of  the  lake  with  its  deeply 
indented  shores  and  rocky  islets,  and  on  a clear  morning  wreaths 
of  misty  fog,  which,  rising  here  and  there  out  of  the  forest  depths, 
reveal  the  locality  of  steam  jets  or  boiling  springs. 

On  leaving  these  attractive  heights  to  plunge  into  the  sombre 
forests,  we  soon  lose  the  peculiar  subalpine  flora,  which  gives 
place  to  more  common  woodland  forms. 

Aquilegia  Jlavescens  of  Watson  is  especially  abundant  with  its 
loose  straggling  habit  and  light  yellow  blossoms,  less  showy  than 
most  species  of  this  attractive  genus. 

Ledum  glandulosum  Nutt,  is  here  noticed  for  the  first  time  on 
our  route,  forming  bushy  clumps  with  laurel-shaped  leaves,  and 
scant  clustered  heads  of  wdiitc  flowers. 

Erytlironium  grandijlorum  Pursh  here  presents  in  form  and 
habit  an  exact  western  counterpart,  on  a larger  scale,  of  our  well 
known  eastern  species.  Mosses  and  wood  lichens  in  greater  pro- 
075)  (15) 


16 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


fusion  and  variety  indicate  a moister  climate ; and  along  the 
borders  of  innumerable  springs  and  ice-cold  brooks  grow  the 
ordinary  forms  before  noticed,  including  species  of  Cardctmine , 
Saxifraga , Mitella , Mimulus , Mertensia , Habenaria , etc.,  etc. 

The  absence  of  any  well-marked  trails,  and  the  annoying  ob- 
struction of  fallen  timber,  obliging  frequent  detours,  are  apt  to 
confuse  the  sense  of  direction  even  in  those  most  experienced  in 
wood-craft,  and  frequent  reference  to  the  compass  is  necessary  to 
maintain  a direct  course.  It  is  therefore  a great  relief,  both  to 
man  and  animals,  to  emerge  occasionally  into  open  grassy  valleys, 
which  offer  something  else  to  engage  the  e}^e  and  thought  more 
pleasantly  than  dodging  the  scraggy  branches  of  overhanging  pine 
trees,  or  devising  the  best  way  of  escape  from  a perfect  maze  of 
fallen  trees.  To  the  botanist  especially  these  little  open  parks 
afford  the  most  satisfactory  field  for  observation  and  collection, 
however  seriously  interfered  with  by  the  persistent  annoyances  of 
insect  pests.  The  Graminese  here  brought  to  view  comprise  the 
ordinary  northern  forms,  including  Plileum  alpinum  L.,  Vilfa  as- 
per i folia  Nees  and  Meyen,  Agrostis  scabra  Willd.,  Muhlenberg ia 
Mexicana  Trin.,  Calamagrostis  Canadensis  Beauv.,  Calamagrostis 
Lapponica  Trin.,  Kceleria  cristata  Pers.,  Melica  bulbosa  Geyer., 
Poa  Andina  Nutt.,  Festuca  ovina  L.,  Bromus  breviari  status  Thur- 
ber,  Triticum  cegiopoides  Turcz,  etc.,  etc.  The  Cvperaceae  are 
represented  by  Eriophorum  polystachyon  L.,  Carexrigida  Good., 
C.  Jamesii  Torr.,  C.  Douglasii  Boott,  C.  aquatilis  Wahl.,  C.  Ray- 
noldsii  Dewey,  C.  leporina  L.  and  (7.  tenuirostris  Olney,  ined. 

On  reaching  the  shore  of  Yellowstone  Lake  the  great  variety  of 
exposure  bordering  this  magnificent  body  of  water,  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  seven  thousand  four  hundred  feet  above  the  sea  level, 
added  material  attractions  to  the  native  flora.  High  bluff  banks 
here  alternate  with  stretches  of  sandy  or  gravelly  beach,  while 
numerous  inland  lagoons,  frequently  heated  by  boiling  springs, 
maintain  a local  temperature  often  too  high  for  the  ordinary  phae- 
nogamous  plants.  When,  however,  this  source  of  internal  heat  is 
properly  tempered,  there  is  induced  a profuse  hot-bed  growth. 
But  the  specific  forms  are  not  materially  different  from  those  else- 
where exhibited.  Strikingly  conspicuous  among  less  showy  plants 
were  the  profuse  blossoms  of  Oentiana  detonsa  Fries,  presenting 
flowers  of  unusual  size,  and  streaked  with  the  most  delicate  shades 
of  azure  blue.  A peculiar  form  of  Pentstemon  secundijlorus  Behth. 

(176) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


17 


was  equally  distinguished  by  its  brilliant  colors  and  cultivated  style 
of  growth.  Of  other  plants  affecting  such  locations  we  may  men- 
tion Spraguea  umbellata  Torr.,  Chcenactis  Douglasii  Hook.,  E una- 
nus Fremontii  DC.,  and,  more  singular  in  its  associations  with 
neglected  fields  and  gardens,  Brunella  vulgaris  L.  and  Scrophularia 
nodosa  L. 

Another  peculiar  plant  of  this  district  is  that  characterized  by 
Dr.  Torrey  in  Hayden’s  Report  as  a new  genus  of  Lobeliacese, 
viz : Porter  ella  carnulosa  Torr.  By  some  inadvertence  the  syno- 
nym of  the  original  plant,  described  in  Botany  of  Beechey’s  Voyage, 
page  362,  under  the  name  Lobelia  carnosula  H.  and  A,  was  quoted 
as  Lobelia  carnulosa  H.  and  A.,  and  the  changed  name  adopted 
for  the  typical  species  of  this  proposed  genus.  It  is  still  doubtful 
whether  the  distinguishing  characters  are  sufficient  to  entitle  this 
plant  to  generic  rank  as  distinct  from  Lobelia.  The  localities  in 
which  it  was  invariably  found  were  recently  exsiccated  pond-holes 
in  open  grassy  valleys,  which  it  adorned  profusely  with  its  deli- 
cate blue  flowers  ; it  was  here  quite  constantly  associated  with 
Nasturtium  curvisiliqua  Nutt. 

While  searching  in  similar  localities  near  the  falls  of  the  Yel- 
lowstone for  fruiting  specimens  of  the  latter  plant,  my  attention 
was  directed  to  a dense  subaquatic  growth,  occupying  the  basin 
of  a shallow  muddy  pond.  This  proved  to  be  Isoetes , which  Dr. 
Engelmann,  who  has  assiduously  studied  this  difficult  genus,  has 
characterized  under  the  name  of  Isoetes  Bolanderi  var.  Parryi. 
(See  Appendix,  No.  307.)  The  numerous  additions  to  this  genus, 
lately  made  under  the  inspiring  influence  of  Dr.  Engelmann’s 
researches,  show  how  largely  dependent  is  the  introductory  work 
of  the  botanical  collector  on  the  supplementary  labors  of  the 
herbarium  botanist. 

On  the  elevated  grassy  slopes,  which  at  different  points  afford 
an  agreeable  relief  to  the  uniform  forest  growth,  we  invariably 
encounter  a well  marked  subalpine  flora  in  the  prevalence  of  such 
attractive  forms  as  the  following,  namely:  Caltha  leptosepala 
DC.,  Oxytropis  nana  Nutt.?  Astragalus  Kentropliyta  Gray,  Bu- 
pleurium  ranunculoides  L.,  Aster  pulchellus  DC.  Eaton,  Erigeron 
ursinum  DC.  Eaton,  Aplopappus  suffruticosus  Gray,  and  Senecio 
amplectens  Gray.  At  lower  elevations  the  same  open  character 
of  country,  agreeably  set  off  with  copses  of  Abies  grandis  Lindl., 
afford  a still  larger  number  of  interesting  forms,  including  Ribes 

(177) 


18 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


viscosissimum  Pursh,  Peucedanum  leiocarpum  Hook.,  Ligusticum 
scopulorum  Gray,  Lonicera  ccerulea  L.,  Aster  conspicuus  Lindl., 
A . integrifolius  Nutt.,  A.  elegans  Torr.  Gray,  A . Engelmanni 
Gray,  Senecio  triangularis  Hook.,  S.  Andinus  Nutt.,  Hieracium 
Scouleri  Hook.,  Gaultheria  myrsinites  Hook.,  Ortliocarpus  Parry i 
n.  sp.  Gray  (see  Appendix,  No.  218),  Echinospermum  dejlexum 
Lehm.,  Spiranthes  Romanzoffiana  Cham.,  Fritillaria  pudica 
Spreng.,  Calochortus  eury carpus  S.  Watson,  Botrychium  simplex 
Hitchcock. 

At  the  head  of  Yellowstone  Lake,  fringing  the  muddy  shores  of 
one  of  its  numerous  inlets,  was  found  in  great  abundance  the 
well  known  European  plant,  Subidaria  aquatica  L.  This  has  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  rarities  on  the  American  continent,  and 
has  been  termed  by  Dr.  Gray  one  of  “the  late  lingerers”  which 
has  just  managed  to  maintain  its  foothold  in  a few  isolated  New 
England  lakes  : but  it  seemed  to  be  quite  at  home  on  the  banks 
of  the  Yellowstone.  While  it  is  by  no  means  unlikely,  as  sug- 
gested by  Dr.  Gray,  that  from  its  diminutive  size  and  mode  of 
growth,  it  may  have  been  overlooked  in  intermediate  localities,  its 
occurrence  here,  in  such  profusion,  so  remote  from  any  recognized 
connection  with  an  ancestral  source,  is  very  suggestive  in  its  bear- 
ing on  the  question  of  geographical  distribution,  and  derivative 
origin  of  species.  Certainly  the  localities  on  this  continent  where 
it  might  have  persisted,  if  originally  spread  round  the  northern 
hemisphere,  are  sufficiently  numerous  not  to  leave  such  wide  gaps 
as  that  between  Maine  and  Wyoming ! Doubtless,  as  in  other 
apparently  unaccountable  cases,  future  discovery  either  east  or 
west  will  help  to  fill  up  this  chasm. 

In  the  numberless  ponds  and  lagoons  which  occur  near  the 
head  of  Yellowstone  Lake  only  the  usual  forms  of  northern  aquat- 
ic plants  were  noticed,  including  Ranunculus  aquatilisJj .,  Nuphar 
advena  Ait.,  Utricularia  vulgaris  L.,  Lemna  trisulca  L.,  Typha  lati- 
folia  L.,  Sparganium  simplex  Huds.,  Zannichella  palustris  L., 
Potamogeton  perfoliatus  L. 

In  none  of  these  promising  localities  was  I able  to  detect  the 
Nuphar  poly sepalum  Engel.,  which  seems  singularly  to  affect  iso- 
lated localities. 

The  various  confervoid  growths  and  obscure  vegetable  organ- 
isms in  connection  with  the  numberless  hot  springs  of  this  region 
will  no  doubt  reward  the  special  researches  of  the  microscopical 
(178) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


19 


botanist  with  new  and  peculiar  forms.  Before  taking  final  leave 
of  the  Yellowstone  Park  district,  it  may  be  proper  to  allude  briefly 
to  the  character  of  the  forest  growth,  so  obtrusively  forced  on  the 
attention  of  the  traveller.  Not  less  than  ninety-nine  per  cent, 
of  the  pine  growth  of  this  district  is  made  up  of  the  single 
species,  Pinus  contorta  Dougl.  Mile  after  mile  of  continuous 
forest  may  be  traversed  without  seeing  any  other  arborescent 
species,  and  their  tall,  straight,  uniform  trunks  and  scattering 
foliage  wTill  be  always  associated  with  the  monotonous  and  dis- 
agreeable features  of  the  park  scenery.  Only  where  the  blazing 
camp-fire  sends  forth  its  grateful  warmth  to  relieve  the  ordinary 
chill  of  a night  temperature,  where  the  thermometer  in  August 
ranges  between  36CF.  and  14°F.,  do  we  realize  a manifest  utility  in 
this  wide-spread  forest  production.  Occasionally,  in  low  moist 
ground,  the  balsam  {Abies  grandis)  comes  in  to  vary  the  sombre 
scenery,  and  add  a deeper  gloom  to  these  shaded  recesses.  On 
higher  mountain  ridges,  Abies  Engelmanni  Parry  makes  its  ap- 
pearance, always  indicating  an  elevation  of  between  eight  thou- 
sand and  nine  thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  With  this  latter  is 
associated,  as  in  the  higher  mountains  farther  south,  Pinus  flex ilis 
Torr.,  but  at  no  point  was  seen  in  this  district  the  more  exclusively 
alpine  form,  Pinus  Balfouriana  Murray. 

Abies  Menziesii  LindL,  which  is  credited  to  the  park  district  in 
Prof.  Porter’s  list,  was  not  seen  by  me,  and  as  my  attention  was 
particularly  directed  to  this  subject  of  forest  distribution,  it  could 
hardly  have  been  overlooked.  It  is  possible  that  some  of  the  pe- 
culiar forms  of  Abies  Engelmanii , in  which  the  cones  with  their 
lengthened  scales  approach  Abies  Menziesii  (though  still  plainly 
distinct),  may  have  been  mistaken  in  herbarium  specimens  for  this 
latter  species,  which  was  not  met  with  on  our  route  after  leaving 
Wind  River  valley. 

Our  route  from  the  southern  head  of  Yellowstone  Lake  passed 
by  an  almost  insensible  grade  to  one  of  the  numerous  eastern 
branches  of  Snake  River ; thence,  skirting  along  the  irregular 
mountain  range  to  our  left,  we  passed  in  full  view  of  the  Grand 
Tetons  on  our  right,  from  which,  making  a sharp  detour  to  the 
east,  we  reached  a low  divide  at  the  head  of  Wind  River.  On  this 
part  of  our  route,  being  late  in  the  season  and  on  a hurried 
march,  but  little  opportunity  wras  afforded  for  botanizing.  The 
general  aspect  of  the  flora, 'as  judged  from  the  autumnal  forms,  vras 

(179) 


20 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WTOMING. 


not  materially  different  from  other  districts  passed  over  in  our 
previous  route.  Of  plants  not  elsewhere  noticed  may  be  men- 
tioned Splicer alcea  acerifolia  Nutt,  and  Rudbeckia  occidentalis 
Nutt.  Near  the  summit  of  the  high  rocky  peak  overlookingl$nake 
and  Wind  River  valleys  was  found  a new  species  of  Draba  char- 
acterized by  Dr.  Gray,  under  the  name  of  Draba  ventosa  n.  sp. 
(see  Appendix,  No.  15)  : also  Aster  montanus  Rich,  the  latter  only 
known  from  high  northern  collections  in  British  America. 

From  this  accessible  pass,  by  which  the  Yellowstone  Park  can 
be  reached  on  a very  direct  route,  we  passed  rapidly  down  the  open 
valley  of  Wind  River  and  reached  our  previous  rendezvous  at 
Camp  Brown,  on  September  12th,  after  just  two  months’  absence. 


(180) 


Number  -4r. 


The  numbers  are  those  affixed  to  the  tickets  in  the  distributed 
collection,  and  referred  to  in  the  preceding  articles.  1 he  charac- 
ters or  descriptions  which  follow  are  by  the  botanists  respectively 
whose  names  are  appended  to  their  several  contributions,  — in 
which  the  collector,  having  been  summoned  to  a remote  frontier, 
is  able  to  take  only  a small  part. 


3 Aqhilegia  Jonesii.— Acaulescent,  minutely  soft-pubescent;  leaves  all  crowd- 
ed, and  the  persistent  scale-like  dilated  bases  of  their  petioles  imbricated  on  the  stout 
ascending  branches  of  the  rootstock,  biternately  divided;  the  primary  divisions  with 
very  short  if  any  partial  petioles,  and  the  secondary  ones  sessile  or  confluent  at 
base,  so  that  the  nine  small  and  ohovate  entire  leaflets  or  divisions  are  m a dense 
cluster;  scape  from  one  to  at  length  three  inches  high,  naked,  exceeding  the  leaves, 
one-flowered,  sepals  and  petals  blue;  the  former  oblong,  exceeding  the  gradually 
tapering  straightish  spurs;  styles  long,  exserted;  pods  turgid,  reticulated,  smooth.- 
In  crevices  of  loose  arenaceous  limestone,  on  the  summit  of  Phlox  Mountain,  forming 
close  clusters.  A remarkable  and  most  distinct,  very  dwarf  species,  collected  July 
18  mostly  out  of  flower,  and  with  full-grown  fruit;  but  a few  blossoms  were  se- 
cured. The  species  is  dedicated  to  Capt.  W.  A.  Jones,  U.  S.  Engineer,  who  first 
detected  this  interesting  species,  and  to  whose  efficient  aid  as  Commander  of  the 
expedition  the  botanical  collection  is  largely  indebted  for  its  most  valuable  results. 

C.  C.  Parry.  , . ^ 

13.  Stahleya  tomentosa. — Very  stout,  white-villous  or  hirsute  throughout  (espe. 
cially  the  foliage  and  lower  part  of  the  stem) ; radical  and  lower  leaves  lyrate-pinnatifld 
in  the  manner  of  S.  pinnatifida,  the  upper  ones  entire  and  hastate,  passing  into  Ian- 


(211) 


(21) 


22 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


ceolate  and  finally  into  subulate  bracts  for  the  lower  flowers;  raceme  very  dense 
and  thick,  cylindrical  (becoming  a foot  or  a foot  and  a half  long),  of  almost  innumer- 
able pale  cream-colored  flowers;  pedicels  in  fruit  about  the  length  of  the  filiform 
stipe.  — Owl  Creek  on  dry  slopes  in  gypseous  soil.  Biennial,  perhaps  sometimes  peren- 
nial by  offshoots,  one  to  three  feet  high.  Petals  lanceolate,  oblong,  narrowest  in  the 
centre.  Stigma  green. — C.  C.  Pakry. 

Draba  ventosa.— Depressed  and  ctespitose,  branching  from  slender  rootstocks, 
canescently  tomentose  throughout,  the  pubescence  stellate;  leaves  crowded  on  the 
mostly  tufted  branches,  spatulate  oblong  or  obovate,  entire,  not  rigid;  peduncle  in 
fruit  exserted  beyond  the  leaves,  corymbosely  3-5-flowered ; petals  golden  yellow; 
silicle  oval  or  orbicular,  tomentulose-hirsute,  tipped  with  a short  distinct  style.  — On  a 
high  rocky  peak  overlooking  Snake  and  Wind  River  valleys.  The  larger  and  laxer 
leafy  shoots  are  an  inch  and  a half  or  more  in  height;  the  denser  shorter  and  in  a close 
tuft.  Leaves  3 to  5 or  even  6 lines  long,  of  soft  and  herbaceous  texture,  obtuse  and 
pointless,  tapering  to  the  base;  the  pubescence  wholly  soft  and  stellate,  the  stellular 
tuft  generally  slender-stipitate.  Scape  or  peduncle  half  an  inch  to  nearly  an  inch  in 
length  when  fully  developed.  Petals  obovate  or  spatulate,  2 lines  long.  Silicle  fully  2 
lines  wide,  2£  to  3£  lines  long;  the  abrupt  style  half  a line  to  nearly  a line  long.  The 
foliage  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  imperfectly  known  D.  eurycarpa  Gray,  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada. — A.  Gray. 

65.  Astragalus  (Onobrychoides)  ventorum  Gray  ms.— Somewhat  canescent 
with  short  appressed  hairs;  the  stems  from  a subterraneous  perennial  rootstock, 
erect,  4-6  inches  high,  flexuous,  simple;  stipules  large  and  scarious,  free  from  the 
petiole,  united  and  amplexicaul;  leaflets  4-8  pairs,  broadly  obovate,  4-6  lines  long, 
rounded  or  retuse  at  the  apex;  racemes  loose,  short  peduncled,  equalling  the  leaves; 
flowers  5-6  lines  long,  light  yellow,  the  tubular-campanulate  calyx  3 lines  Jong,  with 
short  setaceously  tipped  teeth ; legume  sessile,  slightly  pubescent,  turgid,  oblong,  6-9 
lines  long,  slightly  curved,  completely  2-celled,  the  ventral  suture  somewhat  promi- 
nent and  the  dorsal  slightly  impressed.— Collected  on  Wind  River;  differing  from  the 
other  species  of  the  section  in  its  habit,  which  is  that  of  A.  succumbens,  in  its  yellowish 
flowers  and  larger  legumes. — S.  Watson. 

75a.  Astragalus  (Pectinati)  Grayi  Parry  ms— Distinguished  from  A.  pectinatus 
by  the  broader  leaflets,  which  are  l-l^  inches  long  by  H-2^  lines  broad,  quite  strongly 
veined,  and  by  the  somewhat  thinner  pod,  ascending  instead  of  deflexed.  The  flowers 
are  “ light  yellow.” — On  the  gravelly  ridges  bordering  Owl  Creek  valley. — S.  Watson. 

126.  Aster  (Ortiiomeris)  Parryi.— A span  high,  hoary,  with  a thin  loose  tomen- 
tum;  stems  several  from  a rather  woody  rootstock,  simple,  the  naked  peduncle-like 
summit  bearing  a single  large  head;  leaves  spatulate,  cuspidate;  scales  of  the  invol- 
ucre in  two  series,  oblong-lanceolate,  very  much  acuminate,  cinereous-pubescent;  rays 
numerous,  white,  over  half  an  inch  in  length;  akenes  very  white-villous. — A.  Gray. 

144.  Townsendia  Parryi.  — Perennial,  canescently  pubescent;  the  caudex  very 
short;  leaves  rosulate,  obovate-spatulate,  often  apiculate,  tapering  into  a petiole  of 
about  an  inch  in  length;  peduncles  stout  (2-4  inches  long),  solitary  or  several,  some- 
what leaf-bearing  below,  naked  above  and  bearing  single  large  heads;  scales  of  the  in- 
volucre in  3 or  4 series,  lanceolate,  acute,  herbaceous,  with  scarious  lacerate-ciliate 
margins,  the  inner  ones  acuminate;  rays  bright  blue,  double  the  length  of  the  invol- 
ucre; pappus  the  same  in  rays  and  disk,  persistent,  of  stout  and  unequal  barbellate 
bristles,  a little  longer  than  the  akenes.  — In  the  Wind  River  Range  at  9,000  feet  alt. 
(referred  to  as  T.  scapigera  on  p.  13).  This  very  beautiful  daisy  is  closely  related  to 
T.  scapigera , and  has  much  the  same  foliage  and  a similar  pappus  and  achenium,  but 
the  heads  are  fully  as  large  as  those  of  T.  grandiflora  (1£  to  2 inches  broad),  are  sup- 
ported on  very  stout  stalks,  and  have  the  rays  bright  blue.  The  involucral  scales  are 
more  pointed  than  in  T.  scapigera , and  the  leaves  are  usually  apiculated,  as  they  are 
not  in  the  latter. 

With  very  fine  specimens  of  the  above,  Dr.  Parry  has  also  collected  T.  spathulata 
Nutt.  (Nos.  142  and  145),  and  a single  plant  of  a very  different  species  which  he  pro- 
poses to  call 

(212) 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING, 


23 


T.  condensata  (no  number.  See  p.  108).  — It  has  a proper  caudex  two  inches  long, 
marked  with  the  scars  of  former  leaves,  and  at  the  top  bears  a dense  mass  of  small, 
oblong-spatulate,  white-hairy  leaves,  and,  buried  among  them,  a single  sessile  head 
rather  larger  than  that  of  T.  sericea.  The  involucre  is  composed  of  numerous  very 
narrow  acuminate  scales,  which  are  lacerate-ciliate  along  the  scarious  margin.  The 
pappus  consists  of  rather  long  barbellate  bristles,  that  of  the  (infertile?)  rays  similar 
but  scantier.  The  rays  are  pale  pink,  and  about  eight  lines  long,  and  the  disk-florets 
exceedingly  numerous.  Not  having  seen  a specimen  of  Nuttall’s  T.  incana , I have 
some  doubt  as  to  whether  this  may  not  be  his  plant  of  that  name.  If  not,  it  may  prop- 
erly bear  the  name  which  Dr.  Parry  has  proposed.  It  grew  on  a high  peak  in  north- 
western Wyoming.  — D.  C.  Eaton. 

184.  Aplopapplts  (Stenotus)  multicaulis.— Stenotus  multicaulis  Nutt.,  Torr.  and 
Gray,  Flora.  Wind  River. — An  interesting  rediscovery  of  this  species,  which  seems 
to  hold  truly  distinct  from  A.  acaulis , which  is  also  in  the  collection  (157).— A.  Gray. 

150.  Schkuhria  integrifolia.— Hoary-puberulent,  becoming  glabra te ; scapiform 
flowering  stems  a span  high  from  a branching  caudex,  leafy  only  at  base,  bearing  one 
to  four  or  flve  loosely  corymbose  heads ; leaves  alternate,  thickish  and  coriaceous,  oval 
or  sometimes  oblong,  entire,  lightly  3-nerved,  abruptly  narrowed  into  a slender  peti- 
ole; scales  of  the  hemispherical  involucre  10-14,  oblong-lanceolate,  acute,  shorter  than 
the  disk;  floxyers  yellow;  rays  6-9,  exserted,  oblong,  often  3-toothed ; akenes  linear- 
cuneate  and  4-angled;  paleas  of  the  pappus  linear-lanceolate,  hyaline,  mucronate  or 
short-awned  by  the  excurrence  of  the  stout  midrib  or  else  in  the  outermost  flowers 
oblong  and  pointless.  — Wind  River  valley,  on  high  gypseous  ridges. 

A narrow-leaved  form  of  this  ambiguous  composita  (var.  oblongifolia)  was  collected 
by  Prof.  Newberry  in  McComb’s  expedition  several  years  ago,  at  “ San  Juan  ” (either 
in  Utah  or  New  Mexico);  and  Dr.  Parry  has  now  found  it  much  farther  north.  The 
character  here  given  is  copied  from  a still  unpublished  revision  which  I have  recently 
made  of  the  genus,  as  now  extended  according  to  the  views  of  Bentham  in  the  Genera 
Plantarum,  where  it  is  made  to  include  Achyropnppus  (of  which  section  we  have  S. 
NeO’Mexicana , S.  Bigelowii , S.  Woodhousei , S.pedata , and  S.  biternata , all  but  the  first 
published  by  me  under  Bahia  or  Achyropnppus;  and  now  the  present  species  adds  a 
peculiar  section,  Platy sclikuhria , with  perennial  root,  peculiar  foliage  and  habit,  but 
the  head  and  flowers  of  Achyropnppus.  — A.  Gray. 

153.  Arnica  ParrYi.  — About  a foot  high,  hirsute  and  glandular ; stem  simple, 
naked  above,  bearing  (excepting  bracts)  only  one  or  two  pairs  of  cauline  leaves  and 
lw5  rather  small  heads;  radical  and  lowest  cauline  leaves  ovate  or  ovate-lanceolate 
with  obtuse  or  acute  base  tapering  into  a short  margined  petiole,  lightly  3-5-pliveined, 
acutely  denticulate ; the  others  small  and  sessile  or  bract-like;  lateral  peduncles  short; 
involucre  somewhat  turbinate;  rays  none;  akenes  almost  glabrous:  pappus  densely 
barbellate  in  the  manner  of  A.  mollis. — A.  angustifolia , var.  discoidea  latifolia  Gray 
in  Sill.  Jour.  33,  p.  238.  A . angustifolia , var.  eradiata  Gray  in  Proc.  Acad.  Philad.,  1863, 
p.  68.  Mountains  of  Colorado  (Parry,  Hall  and  Harbour,  Greene),  and  now  found 
by  Dr.  Parry  in  Wyoming.  Rev.  Mr.  Nevius  sends  a specimen  from  the  mountains  in 
Oregon.  Allied  on  one  hand  to  A.  mollis,  on  the  other  to  broad  leaved  forms  of  A. 
alpina.  Seemingly  a well  marked  species  in  a genus  the  species  of  which  are  hard  to 
limit.*— A.  Gray. 

156.  Arnica  foliosa  Nutt—  A.  Chamissonis  Torr.  and  Gray,  in  part.  This  is  a 
dwarf  and  less  downy  form  of  a species  which  abounds  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to 
the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  the  latter  region  passing  into  var.  incana , a densely  white-tomen- 

* Our  North  American  species  throughout  appear  to  have  yellow  anthers  and  more 
or  less  hairy  corolla-tube, — except  the  two  peculiar  to  Unalaska  and  the  other  Aleutian 
Islands,  which  have  blackish  anthers.  Both  were  collected  by  Harrington  and  Dali 
in  the  exploration  under  the  command  of  the  latter;  and  they  seem  to  be  distinct, 
although  Herder  has  lately  combined  them.  A.  Unalaschkensis  has  the  tube  of  the 
corolla  wholly  glabrous.  This  is  said  to  be  the  case  in  the  original  description  of  A. 
obtusifolia  Less.,  but  in  our  specimens  the  many  jointed  hairs  common  in  the  genus 
certainly  occur.  The  A.  Chamissonis  of  Schmidt’s  Flora  Sachaliensis  has  the  same  dark 
anthers,  and  in  foliage  also  differs  considerably  from  the  original  A.  Chamissonis. — 
A.  Gray. 


(213) 


24 


BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMING. 


tose  variety.  It  is  Nuttall’s  A.foliosa , which  I had  referred  to  A.  Chamissonis,  incor- 
rectly, as  I am  now  convinced,  but  all  these  species  seem  to  run  together  inextricably. 
NuttalPs  name  is  a good  one,  and  so,  on  the  whole,  is  the  species  which  on  a survey 
of  the  genus  it  seems  necessary  to  revive. — A.  Gray. 

202.  Phelipjea  (Aphyllon)  lutea. — Resembles  P.  fasciculata;  but  the  whole 
plant  is  of  a light  yellow  color  and  more  glandular-hairy;  peduncles  only  about  twice 
the  length  of  the  flower;  corolla  sulphur-yellow.— Dry  and  sandy  hillsides,  Owl  Creek; 
parasitic  on  roots  of  grasses  — C.  C.  Parry". 

215.  Pedicularis  Parryi  Gray,  var.  purpurea. — Abundant  in  pine  woods  at  the 
foot  of  Yellowstone  Lake.  I do  not  find  any  marked  characters  to  distinguish  this 
from  Pedicularis  Parryi  of  the  Colorado  Rocky  Mountains,  except  the  larger  dull 
purple  flowers,  the  lanulose-ciliate  bracts,  filaments  slightly  hairy,  and  leaves  more 
sharply  serrate,  with  the  divisions  broader  and  less  divaricate. — C.  C.  Parry". 

218.  Orthocarpus  Parryi. — Differs  from  O.  pallescens  Gray  in  somewhat  greater 
height  (almost  a foot  high)  and  in  the  close  and  shoit  cinereous  pubescence;  corolla 
broader  and  yellowish,  its  more  decidedly  trlsaccate  lower  lip  equalling  in  length  the 
broad  galea,  its  3 lobes  equal,  oval,  obtuse,  about  the  length  of  the  saccate  portion.— 
Pacific  Springs,  etc.  Flowers  7 lines  long;  the  lower  rather  distant,  in  the  axils  of 
green  and  foliaceous  laciniate-pinnatifid  bracts;  calyx  2-cleft  to  the  middle,  nearly 
equalling  the  yellowish  corolla  and  apparently  slightly  yellowish.— A.  Gray. 

Carex  tenuirostrts  Olney.— Spike  ovate  or  nearly  round  (8-11  mm.  long,  7-10 
wide),  composed  of  5-10  or  more  spikelets  in  a dense  head  staminate  at  the  base;  bracts 
short,  leafy,  lower  margins  hyaline;  stigmas  2;  perigynium  narrow,  ovate,  lanceolate 
(3*2  mm  long,  *8  mm.  wide),  tapering  to  a very  slender  beak  with  an  obliquely  cut  mem- 
branous orifice  fringed  at  top,  faintly  nerved,  doubly  serrate  and  winged  on  the 
margins  from  the  base  of  the  oblique  cut  to  half  way  down,  longer  than  the  entire  ovate 
acute  hyaline  green  nerved  scale  (2-2*1  mm.  long,  1-1*5  broad),  never  hispid ; achenium 
straw  colored,  oblong,  stiped  (1*4  mm.  long,  *6  mm.  wide). — Stipe  4 mm.  long;  achenium 
1*4  mm. ; style  2*2  mm. ; stigmas  *8-4*8  mm. ; root  fibrous,  culm  6-8  cm.  high,  leaves  flat ; 
margin  finely  serrated,  rough  and  pointed  at  top,  narrow,  and  shorter  than  culm. 

It  resembles  Carex  Haydeniana  in  size,  leaves  and  general  aspect.  It  differs  in  the 
color  of  its  spikes,  its  bracts,  but  principally  in  its  perigynium  Which  is  narrower,  and 
in  its  orifice  fringed  at  top,  and  in  this  differing  from  its  other  close  ally  C.  leporina 
and  from  C.festiva  more  remote.  From  C.festiva  it  differs  as  indicated,  and  in  the 
wings  and  serratures  of  the  perigynium  not  extending  to  the  base.— S.  T.  OlnEY. 

307.  Isoetes  Bolanderi  Engelm.— 1 Trunk  deeply  2-lobed ; leaves  (5-20, 2-4£  in.  long) 
4-angled,  slender,  tapering  to  a very  fine  point,  bright  green,  soft;  epidermis  cells 
elongated;  with  stomata,  but  without  peripherical  bast  bundles;  sporocarp  mostly 
oblong,  covered  about  \ or  \ by  the  velum,  unspotted;  macrospores  (0*30-0*45  mm. 
wide)  beset  with  minute  points  and  wrinkles;  microspores  (0*026-0*31  mm.  long)  more 
or  less  papillose  or  spinulose,  deep  brown.— In  ponds  and  shallow  lakes  on  the  Sierra 
Nevada  of  California,  at  an  altitude  of  5,000-10,000  feet,  “ scattered  or  rarely  in  small 
patches  ” (Tuolumne,  Mount  Dana,  Mono-trail,  Cisco,  Mary’s  Lake,  H.  Boland er,  1866 
and  1870),  and  on  the  Rocky  Mountains,  “densely  csespitose  (Yellowstone  Lake  7,400 
feet  alt.  C.  C.  Parry,  No.  307,  1873). 

- This  species  represents  in  the  western  mountain  regions  our  eastern  wide-spread 
Isoetes  echinospora  var.  Braunii , and  the  very  local  I.  sacdharatct.  Both  collectors 
found  it  growing  in  soft  mud  covering  gravel,  and  always  submerged,  but  the  abun- 
dant stomata  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  plant,  at  times,  vegetates  out  of  water. 
Leaves  very  slender,  lines  in  diameter  in  the  lower  third,  very  broad  winged  below 
and  towards  the  base.  The  minute,  mostly  pointed  warts  on  the  macrospores  are  often 
confluent,  and  then  represent  short  wormlike  wrinkles;  in  some  specimens  I find  them 
almost  obliterated.  The  specimens  from  Yellowstone  Lake  are  characterized  by 
rather  smaller  macrospores  (O-2S-0  38  mm.  wide)  and  a little  smaller  (0  026 -0*029  mm.) 
almost  smooth  microspores,  and  may  be  distinguished  as  var.  Parryi. 

The  only  other  species  of  Isoetes,  thus  far  found  in  the  western  mountains  and  on 
the  Pacific  slope,  are: 

Isoetes  pygm^a  Engelm.— Very  submerged,  few  (5-10),  short  (|  to  1 inch),  stout, 

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rapidly  tapering  dark -green  leaves,  with  very  short,  often  even  square  epidermis  cells, 
without  stomata  or  bast-bundles;  circular  sporocarp  with  a very  narrow  velum;  ma- 
crospores 0*36-0*50  mm.  wide,  marked  with  smaller  and  more  regular,  rarely  confluent, 
rather  sharp  points;  microspores  (0  024-0  027 mm.  long)  brown,  very  minutely  papillose 
or  almost  smooth.— In  large  patches  in  mud,  covering  gravel,  deeply  submerged  in 
running  water,  on  the  Mono-trail,  eastern  declivity  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  7000  feet  alt., 
H.  Bolander,  1866.  Closely  allied  to  the  last  species,  distinguished  by  its  stout,  short 
leaves  without  stomata,  and  the  markings  of  the  larger  macrospores,  etc.;  in  many 
respects  near  I.  lacustris. 

Isoetes  Nuttallii  A.  Eraun  in  litt. — Terrestrial,  trunk  scarcely  lobed;  leaves 
(20-60,  3-7  in.  long)  3-angled,  slender,  Arm,  erect,  light-green,  with  numerous  stomata 
and  3 peripherical  bast-bundles;  sporocarp  mostly  oblong,  entiVely  covered  by  the  ve- 
lum; macrospores  (0*35-0*52  mm.  wide)  densely  covered  with  minute  but  prominent, 
rounded  warts;  microspores  (0  025-0*028  mm.  long)  papillose,  deep  brown.— On  damp 
flats  or  springy  declivities  in  Oregon;  on  the  Columbia,  Th.  Nuttall.  1833;  Camass 
Prairies  of  the  Coeur  d’Aleines,  Clis>  Geyer , 1843;  Willamette  valley,  E.  Hall , No.  693, 
1871.  Thin  but  firm  leaves,  as  most  land  Isoetes  have,  with  three  strong  bast-bundles 
corresponding  to  the  3 angles.  Trunk  rhombic  in  transverse  section,  only  super- 
ficially divided  by  a shallow  groove  into  two  lobes.  Closely  allied  to  I.  melanopoda 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  which  Mr.  Hall  lately  discovered  also  in  Texas,  but  resem- 
bling in  the  velum  the  two  Florida  species  I.Jlaccida  and  I.  Chapmani. 

Isoetes  echinospora  Dur.,  var.  Braunii  Engelm.— In  the  Uintah  Mountains,  at 
9500  feet  alt.,  S.  Watson.  The  westernmost  and  the  highest  known  locality  of  this 
species.— ‘G.  Engelmann. 

iEciDitiM  PsorAle^e.— Spots  none;  peridia  abundant,  generally  occupying  all  the 
lower  surface  of  the  leaf,  rarely  a few  on  the  upper  surface,  short  margin  crenulate; 
spores  sub-globose  and  sub-elliptical,  brownish  yellow  when  fresh,  yellowish  when 
dry,  *0007-* 0008  inch  long.— Parasitic  on  leaves  of  Psoralea  jloribunda,  Colorado  Ter- 
ritory.—C.  H.  Pec!K. 

iEciDiUM  Parryi.—  Spots  none;  peridia  usually  occupying  all  the  lower  surface 
of  the  leaf,  prominent,  bright-colored,  margin  subentire;  spores  subglobose,  bright 
chrome  yellow,  *0008-*0009  inch  in  diameter.— Parasitic  on  leaves  of  SmelowsJcia  calycina 
Meyer.  Wyoming  Territory.— C.  H.  Peck. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

581  97386P24B  C001 

BOTANICAL  OBSERVATIONS  IN  WESTERN  WYOMIN 


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